Indio opens new library as city considers future partnership with Riverside County Library System

Dozens of eager library patrons lined up outside the new Indio Public Library for its first official day of operation on Wednesday. The 7,000 square foot building is part of a broader plan for a Civic Center Campus that includes the new City Hall.

With the unveiling comes considerations from the city about its partnership with Riverside County Library System which operates the library. Indio could follow the lead of other valley cities like Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, and Palm Springs which have established independent city-run library systems.

Mayor Glenn Miller, speaking at the library’s opening, said the city is evaluating whether managing its own library would allow for enhanced programming and better serve residents’ needs.

“We’re paying an amount of taxes into the county of Riverside, who takes it and then distributes it to this group that they have working for them,” Miller said, referring to the private company Library Systems & Services (LS&S) which Riverside County contracts for library services.

Palm Desert City Council voted to withdraw from the Riverside County Library System in 2023, saying that the breakup would free up extra money and improve services.

Still, Miller said, it’s something they’re just looking into for now, “We’re happy with what we have right now, but we can always get better,” he said.

The idea of breaking away from Riverside County was floated at the City Council’s Oct. 1 meeting.

“[Indio is] the largest city, we have 24 schools and we probably have over 35,000 youth plus our senior community,” said Councilmember Ben Guitron at the meeting, emphasizing the importance of a strong community-focused library.

Councilmember Oscar Ortiz agreed, but said he hoped any future changes would preserve the current library staff who are recognizable and well-loved by the community.

The library staff were on hand Wednesday to welcome back patrons young and old, many of them familiar faces and regulars who have been patronizing the city’s temporary library location. 

“It’s nice to see a lot of new faces too,” said Branch Manager Joseph Hamersly.

Hamersly said the Indio branch has just under 4,000 books in its collection with room to grow.

“The big thing is seeking the community’s needs,” he said. “If they have anything that anybody wants, just let us know.” 

The $10 million project took two years to complete and utilized a $4.6 million grant from the state and is just one part of the city’s plan for its Civic Center Campus, which includes meeting spaces, the new City Hall and an outdoor area with shade structures.

“We want to build this into a campus that our residents can come and enjoy cultural things, programs, learning, education,” Miller said. “We really want to make this a focal point of downtown.”

Hamersly said residents can look forward to story times, crafts for seniors, movie matinees and a teen club beginning in November, Joseph said.

The facility is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

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